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Free Food Pantries in Santa Clara County CA – San Jose, Sunnyvale, Mountain View & More.
Santa Clara County is home to Silicon Valley, one of the wealthiest regions in the world — yet nearly 1 in 6 residents struggles with food insecurity, and with some of the highest housing costs in the nation, many working families choose between rent and groceries every month. There are a number of places that may provide people free food or a hot meal, as listed below.
Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, one of the largest food banks in the country, serves roughly 500,000 people monthly across the county through a network of over 400 partner sites, distributing fresh produce, meat, dairy, and staple groceries free of charge. Sacred Heart Community Service in downtown San Jose, Martha's Kitchen, Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen, and dozens of church-based and community pantries round out a robust safety net that reaches from Gilroy in the south to Palo Alto in the north.
All programs listed below are free. Many accept walk-ins and have no income documentation or residency requirements. For the nearest distribution site, call Second Harvest's Food Connection line at 1-800-984-3663 or use the food locator at https://www.shfb.org/get-food/. You can also dial 2-1-1 (United Way Bay Area) anytime, day or night, to be connected to food and other emergency resources in your area. For CalFresh food stamp enrollment, call 1-877-847-3663 or visit getcalfresh.org.
County-Wide Food Resources
These organizations serve all of Santa Clara County or coordinate the broader food assistance network.
- Second Harvest of Silicon Valley
Address: Curtner Center: 750 Curtner Ave., San Jose, CA 95125 with another location at the Cypress Center, 4001 N. First St., San Jose, CA 95134 | Brennan Center: 528 Brennan St., San Jose, CA 95131. Phone: (408) 266-8866 or try the Food Connection hotline: 1-800-984-3663
One of the largest food banks in the United States, Second Harvest distributes nutritious groceries through a network of more than 400 partner pantries, churches, schools, and community centers at over 900 sites across Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. Distributions feature fresh produce, meat, dairy, eggs, and shelf-stable staples. The Curtner Center is the main public-facing location. To find a distribution near you, visit shfb.org or call the Food Connection hotline.
- Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County
Address: 2625 Zanker Rd., San Jose, CA 95134. Phone: (408) 468-0100
Catholic Charities runs multiple free food distribution events each week at rotating sites across the county — distributing groceries to around 3,000 households weekly. In partnership with Loaves & Fishes, they also provide weekly meal distribution at several Family Resource Center locations in the Franklin-McKinley School District. Visit ccscc.org for current locations and dates. No documentation required at most sites.
- Loaves & Fishes Family Kitchen
Address: Kitchen & admin: 1500 Berger Dr., San Jose, CA 95112. There are also community meal sites at 1080 N. 7th St., San Jose and 1066 S. 2nd St., San Jose. Phone: (408) 922-9085
Loaves & Fishes prepares nearly 250,000 hot, nutritious meals every month and distributes them at community sites, schools, shelters, senior centers, and partner organizations throughout Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. Meals are free to anyone who arrives — no income verification or documentation needed. Hot meals and grocery bags are also distributed to partner sites throughout the county.
- Martha's Kitchen
Address: 749 Story Rd., San Jose, CA 95122 (Food Hub, East San Jose). Phone: (408) 293-6111
Martha's Kitchen feeds the hungry with dignity — no questions asked, no judgment. The organization provides nearly 250,000 free meals monthly through hot meal programs, food rescue, and distribution to 60+ partner sites across Santa Clara County including schools, shelters, and senior centers. The 2025 East San Jose Food Hub is the organization's main base. Walk-in meal service available; call for the most current schedule.
- Santa Clara County Nutrition Programs / Senior Meals
Address: Call to find your nearest site. Phone: (408) 755-7680
The County's Social Services Agency operates meal programs for older adults including dine-in congregate meals at senior centers and home-delivered Meals on Wheels for homebound seniors. Available to adults 60 and older. Call or visit socialservices.sccgov.org for registration and site locations.
San Jose — Downtown, Central, and West San Jose
Includes the Rose Garden, Willow Glen, West San Jose, and downtown core neighborhoods.
- Sacred Heart Community Service
Address: 1381 South 1st St., San Jose, CA 95110. Phone: (408) 278-2160
One of San Jose's most trusted and comprehensive food programs, Sacred Heart has operated its free food pantry since 1964. Open Monday through Thursday, the pantry provides a three-day supply of groceries — bread, milk, produce, pasta, and shelf-stable staples. A separate no-cook package is available for unhoused visitors who cannot prepare meals. Any Santa Clara County resident may visit; free online membership registration is required at https://www.sacredheartcs.org/.. No documentation required.
- Santa Maria Urban Ministry Food Pantry
Address: 778 S. Almaden Ave., San Jose, CA 95110. Phone: (408) 292-3314
A client-choice produce market and grocery pantry open multiple days per week, serving a wide range of San Jose zip codes. Visitors shop from available items rather than receiving a pre-packaged box, allowing families to choose food they'll actually use. Fresh produce, canned goods, and perishables available. Call for current service days.
- Salvation Army – San Jose Food Pantry & Emmanuel House
Address: Food Pantry: 359 N. 4th St., San Jose, CA 95112 and Emmanuel House meals are at 405 N. 4th St., San Jose, CA 95112. Phone: (408) 282-1175
The Salvation Army Silicon Valley operates a weekday food pantry at 359 N. 4th Street — walk-in, no appointment needed, open mornings Monday through Friday. The Emmanuel House at 405 N. 4th Street serves hot breakfast and dinner daily (Monday–Saturday), primarily for those experiencing homelessness and housing instability. Seasonal programs include Christmas food baskets, Angel Tree toy distribution, and holiday meals for families.
- Martha's Kitchen – Story Road Food Hub
Address: 749 Story Rd., San Jose, CA 95122. Phone: (408) 293-6111
See county-wide section above. The Story Road location is the central food production and distribution hub, opened in 2025 in East San Jose.
- Westminster Presbyterian Church
Address: 1100 Shasta Ave., San Jose, CA 95126. Phone: (408) 294-7447
Community food pantry serving West San Jose residents. Call for current distribution schedule and eligibility details.
- Wesley United Methodist Church
Address: 566 N. 5th St., San Jose, CA 95112. Phone: (408) 295-0367
Food pantry open several days per week. Serves the downtown San Jose community.
- First Immanuel Lutheran Church
Address: 374 S. 3rd St., San Jose, CA 95112. Phone: (408) 292-5404
Emergency food baskets available, including holiday food packages at Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Call for current pantry schedule.
San Jose — East Side and Alum Rock
Includes Alum Rock, East San Jose, Evergreen, and Berryessa neighborhoods.
- CityTeam San Jose
Address: 580 Charles St., San Jose, CA 95112. Phone: (408) 288-2185
CityTeam has served San Jose's most vulnerable residents since 1957. The dining hall provides hot meals seven days a week to men, women, children, and families experiencing food insecurity or homelessness. Basic hygiene items such as socks, toothpaste, and hand sanitizer are also distributed. Grocery distribution is also available on select weekdays — call for the current schedule.
- St. Victor Catholic Church Food Pantry
Address: 3108 Sierra Rd., San Jose, CA 95132. Phone: (408) 251-7055
Monthly food distribution one Saturday per month in the church parking lot. Distributes fresh produce, canned goods, dairy, and meat. Drive-in service only. No walk-ins during the distribution. Open to all regardless of income, religion, or residency status.
- Most Holy Trinity Parish Food Pantry
Address: 2040 Nassau Dr., San Jose, CA 95122. Phone: (408) 729-0101
Weekday food pantry open multiple days per week in the afternoon. Serves the East San Jose community.
- Alum Rock United Methodist / Peace United Methodist
Address: 30 Kirk Ave., San Jose, CA 95127. Phone: (408) 258-7368
Food pantry serving the Alum Rock neighborhood. Call for current availability.
- St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church
Address: 1045 Keyes Ave., San Jose, CA 95112. Phone: (408) 251-1588
Emergency food pantry operating Saturday mornings on a first-come, first-served basis. Open until food runs out; no appointment required.
- Mayfair Community Center
Address: 2039 Kammerer Ave., San Jose, CA 95116. Phone: (408) 794-1060
Community center with a primary focus on children's food access in East San Jose. Provides healthy food during the school year and summer months to ensure kids are not going hungry when school is not in session.
- First Apostolic Church Food Pantry
Address: 480 McCreery Ave., San Jose, CA 95116
Phone: (408) 929-5935
Community food distribution. Call for current schedule.
- Maranatha Christian Center Food Pantry
Address: 1811 S. 7th St., Suite A, San Jose, CA 95112. Phone: (408) 280-7729
Daily food pantry open seven days a week. Photo ID or similar identification required. No appointment necessary.
- New Beginnings Family Services Food Pantry
Address: 100 W. Alma Ave., San Jose, CA 95110. Phone: (669) 299-6610
Food pantry open multiple days per week including weekday mornings and evenings, plus Saturday mornings. No income verification or zip code restriction — no documentation required. Serves families, individuals, and unhoused residents.
San Jose — North San Jose and Berryessa
- Portuguese Organization for Social Services and Opportunities (POSSO)
Address: 1735 Alum Rock Ave., San Jose, CA 95116. Phone: (408) 293-0877
POSSO operates a Brown Bag supplemental food program twice monthly and a broader supplemental food distribution every week. Serves seniors and low-income households in North San Jose. Federal surplus food commodities distributed to qualifying low-income seniors on select days.
- Crossroads Bible Church Food Pantry
Address: 1670 Moorpark Ave., San Jose, CA 95128. Phone: (408) 924-0440
Food distribution program serving the North San Jose and Santa Clara corridor. Call for current pantry schedule.
- St. Martin of Tours Parish Food Pantry
Address: 1040 Blossom Hill Rd., San Jose, CA 95123. Phone: (408) 294-8953
Parish-based food pantry. Call for distribution days and eligibility.
Silicon Valley Corridor
Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Santa Clara, and Cupertino.
- Sunnyvale Community Services
Address: 725 Kifer Rd., Sunnyvale, CA 94086. Phone: (408) 738-4321
The primary food assistance agency serving Sunnyvale residents, operating in close partnership with Second Harvest of Silicon Valley. A weekly drive-through distribution (usually on Wednesdays) serves enrolled households with fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, eggs, dairy, rice, beans, and canned goods. Enrolled clients may also visit a self-select pantry twice weekly. A home delivery program serves seniors and those unable to travel. Sunnyvale residency and income documentation required for enrollment. Also provides temporary financial assistance for rent and utilities.
- Community Services Agency (CSA) of Mountain View and Los Altos
Address: 204 Stierlin Ct., Mountain View, CA 94043. Phone: (650) 968-0836
CSA runs a Food and Nutrition Center open three days a week for income-qualified residents of Mountain View and Los Altos. Clients receive fresh produce, proteins, dairy, and shelf-stable groceries. Case managers help clients apply for CalFresh, WIC, and other public benefits. Emergency food assistance available for those in acute need.
- Hope's Corner
Address: 748 Mercy St., Mountain View, CA 94041. Phone: (650) 968-0836
A welcoming community program in downtown Mountain View serving hot breakfasts and bagged lunches free of charge generally on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday mornings to anyone who needs a meal. No identification, income verification, or residency required. Also offers free shower and laundry services for unhoused individuals on the same days.
- West Valley Community Services (WVCS) Food Market
Address: 10104 Vista Dr., Cupertino, CA 95014. Phone: (408) 255-8033
WVCS serves residents of Cupertino, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Saratoga, and West San Jose zip codes (95014, 95030, 95032, 95033, 95070, 95129, 95130). The on-site food market is open five days a week and allows clients to select their own groceries — fresh produce, meat, dairy, bread, and shelf-stable goods. A Mobile Food Market (Park-It Market) reaches clients in Los Gatos, Saratoga, and West San Jose who have transportation barriers. Photo ID, proof of residency, and income documentation required to enroll. First-time visitors may use the pantry once before enrolling.
- Union Church of Cupertino Food Pantry
Address: 20900 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino, CA 95014. Phone: (408) 252-4478
Food pantry serving Cupertino and surrounding communities. Call for current distribution schedule and details.
- St. Leo the Great Catholic Church – Community Market
Address: 88 Race St., San Jose / Santa Clara area, CA 95126. Phone: (408) 293-3503
Free community market with groceries, hot meals, and immigration legal assistance on Thursday evenings. Walk-ups only; bring your own bags or roller cart. Open to all.
- Hope Lutheran Church (ELCA) Food Pantry
Address: 1265 Westwood Dr., Santa Clara, CA 95050. Phone: (408) 248-3668
Monthly grocery bag for anyone in need — no income or residency requirement. Call for current distribution schedule.
- River of Life Foundation Food Pantry
Address: Santa Clara area. Phone: (408) 567-0877
Drive-through food distribution operating weekly on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and Sunday afternoon. Open your trunk and volunteers will load your groceries. No documentation required.
- FISH of Santa Clara
Address: 2499 Homestead Rd., Santa Clara, CA 95050. Phone: (408) 984-0682
Emergency food boxes for low-income families in Santa Clara, including fresh fruits, vegetables, and other grocery staples. Additional social service referrals available. Call for eligibility and hours.
North County
Milpitas, Alviso, Palo Alto, Los Altos, East Palo Alto, and surrounding communities.
- Milpitas Food Pantry
Address: 1440 S. Main St., Milpitas, CA 95035. Phone: (408) 946-5564
Community-supported pantry serving Milpitas and Alviso residents. Usually open three days per week (Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings). Documentation requirements include proof of Milpitas or Alviso residency. Distributes a wide range of groceries and shelf-stable items.
- All Saints Episcopal Church – Downtown Food Closet
Address: 425 Hamilton Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94301. Phone: (650) 325-3663
Free grocery distribution in partnership with Peninsula Programs Food Services. Volunteers distribute groceries and case managers assist with CalFresh and WIC applications for single parents and infants. Serves Santa Clara County and neighboring San Mateo County residents.
- Covenant Presbyterian Church – South Palo Alto Food Closet
Address: 670 E. Meadow Dr., Palo Alto, CA 94306. Phone: (650) 600-0979
Canned goods, food boxes, school lunches, and nutritional support for Palo Alto-area residents. Call for current distribution days.
- Jewish Family & Children's Services (JFCS) – Koret Family Resource Center
Address: Palo Alto, CA (call for address). Phone: (650) 688-3030
Food support through JFCS food banks and grocery store gift cards. Serves low-income seniors age 60 and over and people with disabilities age 55 and over in Santa Clara and San Mateo County. Bi-monthly food distributions for qualifying seniors.
- El Concilio Emergency Services Partnership
Address: 2396 University Ave., East Palo Alto, CA 94303. Phone: (650) 330-7432
Emergency food and meal support for low-income families, homeless individuals, and the working poor in East Palo Alto. Healthy food and emergency groceries available when other options have been exhausted. Call for current intake process.
South County
Morgan Hill, Gilroy, and the surrounding rural communities of South Santa Clara County.
- St. Joseph's Family Center / South County Community Services
Address: 7950 Church St., Gilroy, CA 95020. Distribution also at St. Mary Parish: 11 1st St., Gilroy, CA 95020. Phone: (408) 842-6662
The anchor social services agency for South Santa Clara County, St. Joseph's Family Center operates the largest food pantry in South County. The pantry provides fresh grocery allotments to over 7,500 individuals annually. A weekly produce mobile serves an additional 94,000+ residents with fresh fruits and vegetables. The Lord's Table hot meal program serves over 40,000 hot lunches and meals to homeless and low-income individuals each year. Also offers emergency rental and utility assistance, case management, and housing support. Open weekdays.
- Salvation Army – Gilroy Community Center
Address: 200 W. 5th St., Gilroy, CA 95020. Phone: (408) 848-5373
Food pantry open several days per week, plus daily hot meals Monday through Friday at lunchtime. Holiday food baskets and seasonal assistance at Thanksgiving and Christmas. Serves Gilroy and surrounding South County communities.
- Cathedral of Faith – Gilroy Food Distribution
Address: 7441 Monterey Rd., Gilroy, CA 95020. Phone: (408) 267-4691
Twice-monthly Saturday morning food distribution for the Gilroy community. No membership or registration required.
- St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Church Food Pantry
Address: 17400 Peak Ave., Morgan Hill, CA 95037. Phone: (408) 779-2227
Food pantry serving Morgan Hill and the surrounding South County area. Call for current distribution days and eligibility.
- Morgan Hill Community Center Commodity Distribution
Address: 17000 Monterey Rd., Morgan Hill, CA 95037. Phone: (408) 586-3210
Bi-monthly commodity food distribution serving Morgan Hill residents. Call for the current schedule and eligibility requirements.
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